United States Army Center of Military History

United States Army Center of Military History. The United States Army Center of Military History is the primary organization tasked with preserving, interpreting, and disseminating the history of the United States Army. Established during World War II, it operates under the United States Department of the Army and is headquartered at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.. The center serves as the Army's institutional memory, providing historical support to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other governmental agencies.

History

The center traces its origins to July 1943, when the War Department established the Historical Branch within the Military Intelligence Division to document the ongoing World War II. Following the war, it was reorganized and expanded, becoming the Office of the Chief of Military History in 1949. Its role grew significantly during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where historical teams were deployed to compile operational records. In 1973, it was redesignated as the United States Army Center of Military History, consolidating various historical activities. Key figures in its development include former Chiefs of Military History like Brigadier General John S. Brown and historians such as Charles B. MacDonald, who authored the seminal "United States Army in World War II" series.

Mission and functions

The core mission is to create, preserve, and provide access to the historical resources of the United States Army. Its primary functions include producing official histories of Army operations, such as the "The U.S. Army in the Korean War" series and studies on the Global War on Terrorism. The center provides historical advice and analysis to the Secretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and commanders in the field. It also manages the Army's historical property program, including the preservation of artifacts and art, and oversees the Army Historical Program, which coordinates history activities across all United States Army Commands and the Army National Guard.

Organization

The center is led by the Chief of Military History, a brigadier general, currently Brigadier General David C. Hill. It is divided into several directorates and branches. The Histories Directorate is responsible for researching and writing the official histories of the Army, covering conflicts from the American Revolutionary War to modern operations. The Museum and Collections Directorate operates the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir and manages the Army Art Collection. The Historical Services Directorate provides reference services to the public and government, maintains the archival holdings, and administers the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth, which produces doctrinal and operational histories.

Publications and resources

The center is renowned for its extensive publication program, most notably the "United States Army in World War II" series, often called the "Green Books," which comprises over 79 volumes. Other major series include "American Forces in Action" and the "CMH Publications" catalog covering topics from the War of 1812 to the Iraq War. It maintains a comprehensive online portal providing free access to hundreds of publications, documents, and photographs. Key resources include the Soldiers' Manuals archive, the Medal of Honor citations database, and operational records from campaigns like the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). The center also publishes the quarterly journal "Army History".

Notable projects and initiatives

A landmark project is the establishment and operation of the National Museum of the United States Army, which opened in 2020 as the service's flagship museum. The center's "World War II Commemorative Series" and its involvement in the Vietnam War Commemoration are significant outreach efforts. It has undertaken major documentary projects, such as the "The United States Army and the Korean War" series and the ongoing historical analysis of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The center also supports the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and collaborates with institutions like the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Society for Military History to advance the study of Army history.

Category:United States Army Category:Historical societies in the United States Category:Government agencies established in 1943